Disney on Ice brings favorite characters to BancorpSouth Arena

Tinkerbell’s friend Rosetta and Jessie from “Toy Story” are two completely different characters, but they have one thing in common: ice skater Dora Vikar.
The Budapest, Hungary, native stars as both characters in Disney on Ice “Worlds of Fantasy,” set to take over the BancorpSouth Arena this weekend.
“Rosetta is the girly-girl, the Southern belle in little flower petals and skirts. She’s all about beauty tips and a nice hairdo,” Vikar said in a phone interview from the road. “And Jessie’s a tomboy. I wear pants and don’t act like a girly-girl.”
“Worlds of Fantasy” brings plenty of Disney stories to the ice, from “Toy Story” and “Cars” to “The Little Mermaid” and Tinkerbell’s fairy land. Mickey, Minnie and the gang are there, too.
Vikar has the best homework to perfect her performances: she gets to watch Tinkerbell and “Toy Story” movies to see how her characters walk, talk, stand and move.
“They have very different techniques, in the way you stand, the way you hold your hands. I try to make it really different too, and that’s the challenge,” she said.
Before Vikar joined Disney on Ice in 2000, she competed in ice skating competitions. Disney on Ice has helped add to her skill set.
“I competed for Hungary, and when you’re competing you’re trying to do the techniques the best,” she said. “Then you come to Disney and of course all of the skills you’ve learned are there, but you add in a whole aspect of acting and portraying a movie on ice. Skating becomes half of your talent and acting becomes the other half.”
The best part about being in “Worlds of Fantasy,” Vikar said, is the audience.
“I didn’t love competing, but I absolutely love performing. You’re doing it for the kids, and you see them trying to do the choreography. It’s a lot of fun. It’s work, but it’s fun,” she said.
She invites all Disney fans to check out “Worlds of Fantasy.”
“It’s two hours of fun and skating,” she said. “It’s very exciting, and I can guarantee you’ll all have a good time.”
sheena.barnett@journalinc.com